The Swan Consort
The Swan Consort is a professional chamber choir and independent arts charity based in the UK. The Consort was founded in August 2018 by British Asian conductor, Anita Datta, and launched with residencies in Lincoln Cathedral and Beverley. Specialising in the historically informed performance of Early Music, The Swan Consort’s repertoire draws together forgotten gems from the European Renaissance, with exciting new works by diverse voices of the present day. Recent performances include the Young Artist’s Showcase at Brighton Early Music Festival (2021), delivering the world premiere of Alastair Borthwick’s Missa Brevis at London Festival of Contemporary Church Music (2022), and engagements in Spain including the Festival Renaixement in Valéncia (2022). They have curated digital programmes for The Royal Opera House, Mumbai (2020) and Ryedale Festival (12 Days 2020-2021, with Echo Vocal Ensemble and The Gesualdo Six). With their engaging and person-centred approach, they present meaningful programmes that reach towards new audiences whilst delighting and surprising seasoned concert-goers. They look forward to touring their performance and education project “Song of the Birds” in 2023.
Anita Datta
Anita Datta is a young British conductor from the East Riding of Yorkshire. Born in 1992, she is one of the few ethnic minority women in a field that remains among the most gender imbalanced professions to date. She founded the Swan Consort to perform the music of the European renaissance, and as a vehicle to explore music that is not so often heard. A former organ scholar at Sidney Sussex College Cambridge, she has worked as a choral leader in schools and churches across England and served as conducting fellow for the National Youth Choir of Wales. She is currently furthering her conducting studies at The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama (2021-2023). Anita is committed to widening accessibility in the arts in the North of England and particularly enjoys curating performances for new audiences.